Xi chu bawang

I don't believe this film was ever released in the US-- a pity. It's just the stuff that western junkies of Chinese history love: a semi-bio pic from ancient China full of treachery, deceit, love, lust, and all the elements that make lovers of drama smile.

Gong Li as Lu Zhi gets another chance to shine in a deliciously would-be villainess role. It's not that she's heartless, she just feels the need to protect her turf. When that turf is unwittingly encroached upon by the saintly Rosamund Kwan (in one of her best roles), Gong Li gets down and dirty to settle the score. Taking her cue from the old adage, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer", Gong Li befriends her oblivious and naive rival, Lady Yu, with every intention of destroying her. But that's not all...

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Gong Li is determined that no one will get the best of her in this game of love and politics-- not even her own lover or his rival. Pitting hearts against hearts, friendships against friendships, allies against allies, Lu Zhi's character realizes ambition combined with revenge may be the most powerful force on the face of the earth. It might even be able to change history.

This movie has something for everyone: battles, triumphant parades, treachery and moments of romance. Most of all, there is some fine acting and an interesting plot full of twists and turns. It may not be the best epic ever made, but it is definitely worth a look. It is a bit long in run time, but lovers of Gong Li and Chinese history should find many scenes to be very enjoyable watching. Find it if you can.

An amazing movie. Powerful, long and beautiful. Two great scenes especially: great balls of fire running down the hills and an arrowed-fest assassination attempt. Bloody battles, hundreds of horses and spectacular costumes in powerful fighting scenes. Political intrigues, prisoners, war and peace tactics; I don't know how accurate it is, but it's an interesting way to learn history. Li Gong is breathtaking as usual, as the woman behind- everything. Honor, deceit, love, betrayal, loyalty and trust all in an overwhelming epic about ruling disputes in China circa 200 BC. A bit rough and tough but highly recommended. It is very sorrowing that good movies don't get the attention they well-deserve.

Do you play Romance Of The Three Kingdom on your cellphone or computer? Did you read San Guo Yan Yi? So you must familiar with characters such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Guan Yu etc. Those characters were lived around 200 AD, near the end of Han dynasty. This movie was about 400 years before that era, around 200 BC, when Han dynasty was on its way to it rising era.

Xiang Yu from Chu, the most powerful warlords after the fall of Qin dynasty vs Liu Bang, the king of Han, competed for all China at that moment. Their struggled for power even inspired people to make chinese chess (xiangqi). This 3 hours movie although couldn't captured all of the historical details, but quite stay true to its historical source. So if you like ancient history war stories, you won't be disappointed with this one!

Epic 10/10.